Load-bearing framing assembly and related method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to header assemblies that support a downwardly directed load above an opening in the framing of a load-bearing wall, as well as to related methods. In one embodiment, a load-bearing framing assembly is disclosed. The load-bearing header assembly comprises: a pair of horizontally positioned header members for receiving a downwardly directed load; and a pair of parallel and vertically positioned sheet-metal jamb members. The header members are disposed within the jamb members. In another embodiment, a method for making a load-bearing wall assembly is disclosed. The method comprises at least the following steps: providing and positioning onto a floor and a ceiling respective bottom and top tracks; providing and vertically positioning within the top and bottom tracks a pair of jamb members; and providing and horizontally positioning within the pair of jamb members a pair of header members.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wall framing assemblies, andmore particularly, to header assemblies that support a downwardlydirected load above an opening in the framing of a load-bearing wall, aswell as to related methods.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Metal framing assemblies used to construct commercial and residentialbuildings are common in the building construction arts. These metalframing assemblies are generally constructed from a plurality of metalframing members including studs, joist, trusses, and other metal postsand beams formed from sheet metal and frequently fabricated to have thesame general cross-sectional dimensions as standard wood members usedfor similar purposes. Metal framing members are typically constructed byroll-forming 12 to 24 gauge galvanized sheet steel. Although manycross-sectional shapes are available, the primary shapes used inresidential construction are C-shaped studs and U-shaped tracks.

C-shaped metal studs are typically formed of galvanized sheet-metal bentto encompass a cross-sectional area having nominal dimensions of twoinches by four inches. To conform to modern architectural plans andbuilding code requirements, metal studs are formed of sheet-metal bentinto a generally C-shaped cross-section in which a relatively broadcentral base is flanked by a pair of narrower sides that are bent atright angles relative to the base. The central base typically has auniform nominal width of either four inches or 3⅝ inches and is commonlyreferred to as the web. The sides of the C-shaped stud typically extendoutwardly from the base a nominal distance of two inches and arecommonly referred to as flanges. Flanges extending 1¼ or 1½ inches arealso common in the trade. To enhance the structural rigidity of theflanges, the ends of flanges are typically bent over into a planeparallel to and spaced apart from the plane of the web. The turned overedges of the flanges define marginal lips that are typically ¼ to ½ inchin width. These lips are also commonly referred to as returns.

In an alternate embodiment of a C-shaped metal stud, instead of lips, asecond flange is located along the peripheral edges of the first flange.Like the lips, the second flanges are typically parallel to and spacedapart from the plane of the web. To increase the strength of the studs,the peripheral edges of the second flanges may be bent inwardly to forma pair of confronting lips (or returns) that are parallel to the firstflanges. Studs including this C-shaped configuration can be purchasedunder the trade name HDS Framing Systems manufactured by Dietrich MetalFraming. HDS studs with 3⅝ inches wide webs typically have a pair ofsecond flanges that are 1 1/16 inches wide and a pair of lips that are ¾inches wide. HDS jamb members are also commercially available with a webthat is 6 inches, a pair of first flanges that are 3 inches, a pair ofsecond flanges that are 2¼ inches, and a pair of lips that are ¾ incheswide.

U-shaped tracks generally include a planar web section flanked alongboth longitudinally extending edges by a perpendicular flange orsidewall. The sidewalls confront each other and extend approximately thesame distance from the web. U-shaped tracks perform many framingfunctions and are available in many standard sizes. In manyapplications, C-shaped studs or other framing members are receivedbetween the sidewalls and within the opening of a U-shaped track.

Steel framing can be used to build wall sections in a manner similar tothat employed in conventional wooden wall framing. Steel framed wallsections are typically formed from a U-shaped top and a U-shaped bottomrunner (also referred to as an upper and lower track) with a pluralityof spaced apart C-shaped studs arranged at predetermined intervalsbetween the top and bottom runners. For example, it is common practiceto vertically position wall studs at 16 inch from center intervals.

Many architectural building plans include wall configurations, fixtures,and other architectural elements that interfere with the wall studspreventing them from traversing the full distance between the top andbottom runners. For example, at the location of openings in aload-bearing wall such as doors, windows, fireplaces, and the like, thestuds, which are generally placed closer together than the width of theopening, interfere with the opening. Further, other aspects of buildingconstruction such as heating ducts, plumbing fixtures and piping,electrical components, and the like conflict with the framing studs andsometimes prevent the studs from traversing the full distance betweenthe top and bottom runners.

If for some reason the studs are prevented from extending the fulldistance between the top and bottom runners, a header assembly must beinstalled to bear the load that would have been born by the studs. Atypical header assembly includes a pair of spaced apart vertical jambmembers defining an opening therebetween and at least one horizontalheader member bridging the opening between the vertical jamb members.Generally, the jamb members are positioned so that their webs confronteach other along opposite sides of the opening defined between the jambmembers. The header member receives the load above the opening andtransfers a portion of that load to the vertical jamb members. If thetop of the opening is directly below the top runner, the header assemblymay abut the underside of the top runner. Otherwise, one or moreshortened studs (often referred to as cripple or kicker studs) span thedistance between the top runner and the top surface of the headerassembly. Typically, the kicker studs are located at the same centerspacing as the other wall framing studs.

For many applications, specially constructed jamb members are required.Jamb members are typically capable of supporting a larger load than awall stud and for this reason, may be constructed from a heavier gaugesheet metal or have a larger cross-sectional area than a wall stud.While jamb members can be distinguished from wall studs, jamb membersmay be constructed with C-shaped cross-sections and cross-sectionalareas similar to those of wall studs.

The construction of a header assembly requires either the purchase of aspecialized header member (and/or related clips) or the costly andinefficient modification of standard framing members such as studs.Specialized header members specially constructed to couple with jambmembers are common in the trade. Many of these specialized headermembers are configured to interface with one or more clips or othercoupling assemblies that couple the header member to the jamb members.For example, the ProX header manufactured by Brady ConstructionInnovations, Inc. includes a generally W-shaped header member (andoptionally an M-shaped insert) that is attached at both ends to the jambmembers by clips mounted to the jamb members. ProX headers are availablein 2½, 3⅝, 4, 6, and 8 inch widths and 40, 60, and 80 inch lengths.Similarly, the following patents disclose header assemblies that usespecialized header members and/or clips in their construction: U.S. Pat.No. 5,802,782 to Jewell (discloses an assembly for performing a headerconnection that includes a header member with a pair of longitudinallyprojecting flanges disposed on each end which are fastened to acorresponding set of flanges disposed on the jamb members), and U.S.Pat. No. 5,689,922 to Daudet (discloses a metal structural framing forbuilding construction, including a one-piece jamb member and a one-pieceload-bearing header member connected to the jamb member).

Many header assemblies including the costly and inefficient modificationof standard framing members such as studs can be found in the prior art.For example, one method of constructing a header assembly from twostandard C-shaped framing members, such as studs, involves removing aportion of the flanges and lips attached thereto from the ends of twoframing members. The portion removed extends from each end of theframing member for a distance less than or approximately equal to thewidth of the sides of the jamb members formed by the outside surface ofthe flanges perpendicular to the web. In this manner, only a section ofthe web projects from both ends of the C-shaped framing members. Theprojecting web sections located at the ends of the C-shaped framingmembers are bent outwardly slightly away from the flanges. Then, theheader members are mounted one at a time to the pair of spaced apartjamb members by placing the projecting web sections flush against thesides of the jamb members and attaching the projecting web sectionsthereto with a plurality of fasteners such as screws. Typically, theheader members are mounted at approximately the same height alongopposite sides of the jamb members. In this manner, two header membersmay span one pair of jamb members in a substantially parallel andhorizontal load-bearing arrangement.

This method has several drawbacks. First, mounting the web of theC-shaped member to the sides of the jamb members creates an undesirablemound of metal and/or fasteners that extends above the planar surface ofthe side of the jamb members and may be difficult to disguise within thefinished wall. Second, the load transferred to the header members istransferred first to the fasteners, such as screws, bolts, or rivets,connecting the header members to the jamb members before the load istransferred to the jamb members. Therefore, the load-bearing capacity ofthe header assembly is dependent upon the type and quantity of fastenersused. Finally, this method requires the modification of standardbuilding materials at the work site and renders the construction of eachheader assembly a time consuming and costly custom framing project.

One method of reducing the labor involved in constructing a headerassembly using header members constructed from two standard C-shapedframing members, such as studs, is to use clips to attach the headermembers to the jamb members. For example, Curtain Wall manufactures aclip under the trademark STIFFCLIP® that removes the need to modify theheader members. These clips include a substantially planar plate and asingle bottom flange perpendicular to and formed along a portion of thebottom edge of the plate. The plate of the clip is positionedimmediately adjacent to both the web of one of the header members andthe side of one of the jamb members and spans the gap between the headermember and the jamb member. The plate includes a plurality ofpre-punched holes into which a plurality of fasteners such as screws arereceived. The underside of the header member abuts and is cradled by thebottom flange of the clip for additional support. Because one clipattaches the web of only one of the header members to the side of one ofthe jamb members, a total of four clips are required to construct asingle header assembly. Dietrich Metal Framing manufactures a similarclip, also referred to as a hanger, under the trade name H-SeriesUniversal Header Hanger. While clips such as those described above mayreduce the time required to construct the header assembly, they do notaddress the other drawbacks of the previously described method.

Therefore, a need exists for header assemblies that incorporate standardmetal framing components. A need also exists for header assembly designsthat do not depend upon the quality and quantity of fasteners used toattach the header member(s) to the jamb members to achieve the desiredload-bearing capability. Further, a need exists for header assembliesthat can be assembled and installed more efficiently. A need also existsfor header assemblies that avoid the creation of an undesirable mound ofmetal and/or fasteners at the intersection of the header members andjamb members that must be disguised within the finished wall. Thepresent invention fulfills these needs and provides for further relatedadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a load-bearingframing assembly that comprises: a pair of horizontally positionedheader members for receiving a downwardly directed load, each headermember being spaced apart and parallel to the other, each header memberhaving first and second end sections; a pair of parallel and verticallypositioned sheet-metal jamb members, each jamb member being spaced apartand confronting the other so as to define an opening, each jamb memberbeing c-shaped and having an inwardly facing planar web flanked alongits opposing vertical edges by confronting and outwardly directedflanges, with each flange being perpendicular to the web and havingouter lips parallel to the web and confronting each other, each webhaving first and second apertures positioned a selected distance awayfrom the bottom of the opening and spaced apart from each other, therebydefining a spacer section of the web, each of the first and secondapertures being sized and configured to receive in an operativearrangement the respective first and second end sections of the pair ofheader members; and wherein the load-bearing framing assembly ischaracterized in that the respective first and second end sections ofthe pair of header members are received into the first and secondapertures of each web of the pair of jamb members such that the outerlips of each flange abut or nearly abut the respective first and secondend sections of the pair of header members.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method formaking a load-bearing wall assembly, wherein the method comprises atleast the following steps: providing and positioning onto a floor and aceiling respective bottom and top tracks such that the top and bottomtracks are spaced apart and confronting each other; providing andvertically positioning within the top and bottom tracks a pair of jambmembers such that each jamb member is spaced apart and confronting theother so as to define an opening, each jamb member being C-shaped orU-shaped and having an inwardly facing planar web flanked along itsopposing vertical edges by confronting and outwardly directed flanges,with each flange being perpendicular to the web and having outer lipsparallel to the web and confronting each other, each web having firstand second apertures positioned a selected distance away from the bottomof the opening and spaced apart from each other, thereby defining aspacer section of the web, each of the first and second apertures beingsized and configured to receive in an operative arrangement respectivefirst and second end sections of a pair of header members; and providingand horizontally positioning the first and second end sections of thepair of header members within the first and second apertures such thateach header member is spaced apart and parallel to the other and suchthat the outer lips of each flange abut or nearly abut the respectivefirst and second end sections of the pair of header members.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become moreevident upon reference to the following detailed description andattached drawings. It is to be understood, however, that variouschanges, alterations, and substitutions may be made to the specificembodiments disclosed herein without departing from their essentialspirit and scope. Finally, it is expressly provided that all of thevarious references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties for all purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to be illustrative and symbolicrepresentations of certain exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention and as such they are not necessarily drawn to scale. Inaddition, and for purposes of clarity, like reference numerals have beenused to designate like features throughout the several views of thedrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a load-bearing framingassembly adapted for use as a header assembly for supporting the loadabove an opening in the framing of a wall.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side perspective sectional view of oneembodiment of the load-bearing framing assembly illustrated in FIG. 1with one of the header members removed to better illustrate aspects ofthe invention taken at the sectioning plane and in the directionindicated by line a-a defined in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial side perspective view of one embodiment ofa jamb member of the load-bearing framing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial side perspective view of a first alternateembodiment of a jamb member of the load-bearing framing assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial side perspective sectional view of a secondalternate embodiment of a jamb member of the load-bearing framingassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the load-bearing frame assembly ofFIG. 1 installed within an exemplary wall framing assembly that includesa top runner, bottom runner, and studs extending vertically between thetop runner and bottom runner.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial side perspective sectional view of oneembodiment of the header members of the load-bearing framing assemblyinstalled within the exemplary wall illustrated in FIG. 6 taken at thesectioning plane and in the direction indicated by line b-b defined inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of theload-bearing frame assembly incorporating the jamb member of FIG. 5wherein the top surfaces of the header members of the load-bearing frameassembly abut the inside surface of the web of the top runner of theexemplary wall framing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding elements, and more particularly to FIGS. 1,6, and 8, the present invention is directed to a load-bearing framingassembly 10 adapted for use as a header assembly for supporting the loadabove an opening in the framing of a wall. Load-bearing framing assembly10 includes a pair of substantially parallel horizontal spaced apartheader members 100 a and 100 b. Each of the header members 100 a and 100b includes a first end 140 a and 140 b, respectively, and second end 160a and 160 b, respectively.

Load-bearing framing assembly 10 also includes a pair of spaced apartvertical jamb members 200 a and 200 b, each with a C-shapedcross-section 202 a and 202 b, respectively. The spaced apart jambmembers 200 a and 200 b define an opening 300 therebetween with bottom302. As appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the verticaljamb members 200 a and 200 b may be disposed within a U-shaped bottomtrack or bottom runner 400. In this manner, the bottom 302 of theopening 300 occurs along the inside surface 404 of the web 402 of thebottom runner 400.

Each of the vertical jamb members 200 a and 200 b includes a pair ofapertures 240 and 242 (best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3) located a distance dfrom the bottom 302 of the opening 300. The first end sections 140 a and140 b of the header members 100 a and 100 b are received into theapertures 240 and 242 of the first jamb member 200 a. Similarly, thesecond end sections 160 a and 160 b of the header members 100 a and 100b are received into the apertures 240 and 242 of the second jamb member200 b. In this manner, the top of opening 300 is defined by theunderside of header members 100 a and 100 b. Fasteners 280 may be usedto affix the ends of the header members 100 a and 100 b to the verticaljamb members 200 a and 200 b.

Referring to FIG. 2, the structure of the header members 100 a and 100 bwill be discussed in detail. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of oneembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 taken at thesectioning plane and in the direction indicated by line a-a defined inFIG. 1. Header member 100 a has been removed from FIG. 2 to provide abetter view of aspects of the invention. While the structure of theheader members 100 a and 100 b will be discussed with reference toheader member 100 b, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in theart that header member 100 a includes structural components identical orsubstantially similar to those of header member 100 b.

Header members 100 a and 100 b may include a generally C-shapedcross-section 102. The C-shaped cross-section 102 may include a planarweb 104 flanked along its opposing horizontal edges 106 and 108 byflanges 110 and 112, respectively. Flanges 110 and 112 extendperpendicularly from the web 104 in substantially the same direction andfor substantially the same distance from the web 104. Optionally,flanges 110 and 112 may be bent along edges 114 and 116 to form a pairof lips 118 and 120 that are perpendicular to the flange from which theyextend. The lips 118 and 120 are generally parallel to the web 104 andextend from edges 114 and 116 toward each other. In one embodiment,header members 100 a and 100 b are constructed from a section of astandard C-shaped metal stud.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the structure of the jamb members200 a and 200 b will be discussed in detail. Typically, jamb members 200a and 200 b will be constructed and configured to exhibit substantiallyidentical structural features. One embodiment of jamb member 200 bsuitable for use with the present invention can be best viewed in FIG.3. Jamb member 200 b may include a C-shaped cross-section 202 b.C-shaped cross-section 202 b may include a planar web 204 flanked alongits opposing horizontal edges 206 and 208 by flanges 210 and 212,respectively. For typical residential constructions, the width of theweb 204 between the flanges 210 and 212 may be about 3½ or 5½ inches,and for ordinary commercial/industrial constructions about 3⅝, 6, 8, or10 inches. However, as is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart, the width of the web 204 may be increased or decreased as desiredfor customized installations. Flanges 210 and 212 extend perpendicularlyfrom the web 204 in substantially the same direction and forsubstantially the same distance from the web 204. Typically, the flanges210 and 212 extend about 1⅜, 1⅝, 2, or 2½ inches from the web 204.Optionally, flanges 210 and 212 may be bent along edges 214 and 216 toform a pair of confronting lips 218 and 220 that are substantiallyparallel to the web 204 and extend from edges 214 and 216 toward eachother. Each lip 218 and 220 extends about ⅜ to ⅝ inches.

Web 204 includes two apertures 240 and 242 located distance d from thebottom 302 of the opening 300. Referring to FIG. 2, the header members100 a and 100 b may include a C-shaped cross-section 102 that resideswithin a predetermined spatial envelope. The shape and size of apertures240 and 242 are configured to accommodate the spatial envelope occupiedby the C-shaped cross-section 102 of the header members 100 a and 100 b.In this manner, each of the apertures 240 and 242 may be suitably shapedand sized to receive one end section 140 a, 140 b, 160 a, or 160 b ofheader member 100 a or 100 b. Apertures 240 and 242 may be formed usingany suitable method known in the art for forming apertures in the sheetmetal of metal framing members.

In one embodiment, the vertical height of the apertures 240 and 242 islarger than the vertical height of the C-shaped cross-section 102 of theheader member 100 a or 100 b received therein allowing vertical movementof the header member 100 a or 100 b within the aperture 240 or 242. Inthis manner, the header members 100 a and 100 b can be positionedvertically to achieve a square and plumb load-bearing framing assembly10. Additionally, the width of the apertures 240 and 242 may be largerthan the width of the C-shaped cross-section 102 of header member 100 aor 100 b allowing lateral movement of the header member 100 a or 100 bwithin aperture 240 or 242. In this manner, the header members 100 a and100 b can be rotated within the apertures 240 and 242 and/or positionedlaterally to achieve a square and plumb load-bearing framing assembly10. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, spacersand shims (not shown) may be used to limit or prevent movement of theheader members 100 a and 100 b within the apertures 240 and 242.

Apertures 240 and 242 define a spacer section 260 therebetween. Spacersection 260 determines the lateral spacing of the horizontal headermembers 100 a and 100 b. In embodiments including C-shaped jamb members200 a and 200 b each including a longitudinal opening occurring oppositethe web 204, the spacer section 260 may act as a guide that directs theend sections 140 a, 140 b, 160 a, and 160 b of the header members 100 aand 100 b into lips 118 and 120. In this manner, the end sections 140 a,140 b, 160 a, and 160 b of the header members 100 a and 100 b abut thelips 118 and 120 of each jamb member 200 a and 200 b instead of passingthrough the longitudinal opening in the jamb member 200 a and 200 b. Thespacer section 260 may also limit the lateral movement of the headermembers 100 a and 100 b and provide opposition to inwardly directedlateral forces. In particular, the spacer section 260 may limit thelateral movement of the header members 100 a and 100 b during theattachment of fasteners 280 that provide an inwardly directed lateralforce on the portion of the web 104 occurring along the first endsections 140 a and 140 b and second end sections 160 a and 160 b.

Referring to FIG. 4, the structure of jamb member 500, an alternateembodiment of the C-shaped cross-section structure of the jamb members200 a and 200 b, will be described. The two least significant digits ofthe reference numbers of jamb member 200 b and jamb member 500 identifyidentical or corresponding structures of the two embodiments. For thisreason, only the structures of jamb member 500 that differ from those ofjamb members 200 b and structures related thereto will be described.

Jamb member 500 includes a C-shaped cross-section 502 including a planarweb 504 flanked along its opposing horizontal edges 506 and 508 byflanges 510 and 512, respectively. Flanges 510 and 512 extendperpendicularly from the web 504 in substantially the same direction andfor substantially the same distance from the web 504. The flanges 510and 512 may be bent along edges 514 and 516 to form a second pair offlanges 519 and 521 that extend from edges 514 and 516 toward each otherfor a predetermined distance. The second pair of flanges 519 and 521 maybe bent along edges 523 and 525 to form a pair of lips 527 and 529. Inthis embodiment, the lips 527 and 529 extend from edges 523 and 525toward the web 504. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art, while the cross-sectional shape of jamb member 500 varies fromthe cross-sectional shape of jamb member 200 b, apertures 540 and 542may be shaped, sized, located, and constructed in the same manner asapertures 240 and 242 of jamb member 200 b.

Referring to FIG. 5, the structure of jamb member 600, an alternateembodiment of the structure of the jamb members 200 a and 200 b, will bedescribed. The two least significant digits of the reference numbers ofjamb member 200 b and jamb member 600 identify identical orcorresponding structures of the two embodiments. For this reason, onlythe structures of jamb member 600 that differ from those of jamb members200 b and structures related thereto will be described. Jamb member 600is adapted to form a load-bearing framing assembly 10′ that abuts thetop runner 420 (please refer to FIG. 8 to view one embodiment of such aconfiguration). Jamb member 600 differs from jamb member 200 b only withrespect to apertures 640 and 642. Specifically, unlike apertures 240 and242 which are completely defined by the web 204, apertures 640 and 642are open along the top edge. In this manner, the top surfaces of headermembers 100 a and 100 b formed by the outside surfaces of the flanges112 may abut the inside surface 424 (FIG. 7) of the top runner 420.While the C-shaped cross-section 602 of jamb member 600 has beendescribed as generally consistent with that of the embodiment describedwith reference to FIG. 3, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skillthat alternate and equivalent C-shaped cross-sectional shapes includingthe cross-sectional shape described with reference to FIG. 4 may be usedto construct jamb member 600.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, load-bearing framing assembly 10 may includean optional U-shaped top track 700 disposed upon and affixed to the topsurfaces formed by the outside surfaces of flanges 112 of the headermembers 100 a and 100 b. Top track 700 may include a horizontal web 702flanked by two vertical flanges or sidewalls 704 and 706. In oneembodiment, the outside surface of the horizontal web 702 of the toptrack 700 is attached to the top surfaces of the header members 100 aand 100 b with the vertical sidewalls 704 and 706 extending upwardly.The top track 700 may be affixed to the header members 100 a and 100 bby fasteners 708 such as screws extending from the inside surface of thehorizontal web 702 of the top track 700 through the flanges 112 of theheader member 100 a and 100 b. Kicker studs 910 may be affixed to thetop track 700 between the sidewalls 704 and 706 by any method known inthe art for effecting such an attachment including but not limited tofastening the flanges of the kicker studs 910 to the sidewalls 704 and706 of the top track 700 with fasteners 710 and fastening the web 912 ofthe kicker studs 910 to the top track 700 with clips (not shown).

Load-bearing framing assembly 10 may include an optional U-shaped bottomtrack 720. Bottom track 720 may include a horizontal web 722 flanked bytwo vertical flanges or sidewalls 724 and 726. The inside surface of theweb 722 of the bottom track 720 may be positioned adjacent to the bottomsurfaces formed by the outside surfaces of flanges 110 of the headermembers 100 a and 100 b. In one embodiment, the inside surface of thehorizontal web 722 of the bottom track 720 is attached to the headermembers 100 a and 100 b with the vertical sidewalls 724 and 726 of thebottom track 720 extending upwardly. In this configuration, the bottomtrack 720 cradles the bottom surfaces of the header members 100 a and100 b, sandwiching the header members 100 a and 100 b between thevertical sidewalls 724 and 726 of the bottom track 720. The positioningof the bottom track 720 along the bottom surfaces of the header members100 a and 100 b may be adjusted to achieve a square and plumb opening300. The bottom track 720 may be affixed to the header members 100 a and100 b by any method known in the art including fastening the sidewalls724 and 726 of the bottom track 720 to the webs 104 of the headermembers 100 a and 100 b with fasteners 730 such as screws.

Insulation 180 may be installed in the cavities of the C-shaped headermembers 100 a and 100 b and into the longitudinal separation between theparallel horizontal header members 100 a and 100 b. In one embodiment,insulation 180 includes a generally rectilinear insulating element 182configured for insertion into the ends of the header members 100 a and100 b. Rectilinear insulating element 182 may include a pair of parallellongitudinal channels or grooves 184 located along both its top andbottom surfaces for receiving the lips 118 and 120 of each header member100 a and 100 b. Alternatively, insulation 180 may include looseinsulating material capable of being packed into the cavities of andlongitudinal separation between the C-shaped header members 100 a and100 b. Insulation 180 may be constructed from any suitable insulatingmaterial including Styrofoam, fiberglass, glass wool, and the like.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, a method of constructing anembodiment of load-bearing framing assembly 10 of the present inventionwill now be described. FIG. 6 depicts a load-bearing framing assembly 10constructed in accordance with the present invention installed within anexemplary wall framing assembly 900. Exemplary wall framing assembly 900includes top runner 420, bottom runner 400, and studs 902 extendingvertically between the top runner 420 and bottom runner 400.Load-bearing framing assembly 10 may be constructed by affixing the topend of first vertical jamb member 200 a to the top runner 420 and thebottom end of the first jamb member 200 a to the bottom runner 400. Inthis manner, the first jamb member 200 a traverses the vertical distancebetween the top and bottom runners 420 and 400 and supports a portion ofthe downwardly directed load applied to the top runner 420. The firstjamb member 200 a may be affixed to the top and bottom runners 420 and400 by any method known in the art including but not limited tofastening the flanges 210 and 212 of the first jamb member 200 a to thesidewalls 426 and 428 of the top runner 420 and the sidewalls 406 and408 of the bottom runner 400. Alternatively, the first jamb member 200 amay be affixed to the top and bottom runners 420 and 400 by fasteningthe web 204 of the first jamb member 200 a to the top and bottom runners420 and 400 with clips (not shown).

The first end sections 140 a and 140 b of the header members 100 a and100 b are inserted into the apertures 240 and 242 of the first jambmember 200 a until the first end sections 140 a and 140 b abut the lips218 and 220 of the first jamb member 200 a. Alternatively, inembodiments where jamb member 200 a is constructed with the C-shapedprofile consistent with that of jamb member 500, the first end sections140 a and 140 b are inserted until they abut the lips 527 and 529.Optionally, insulation 180 may be inserted into the cavities of theC-shaped header members 100 a and 100 b and into the longitudinalseparation between the parallel horizontal header members 100 a and 100b. With respect to embodiments of insulation 180 including a rectilinearinsulating element 182, rectilinear insulating element 182 may beinserted into the end of end sections 160 a and 160 b passing throughthe cavities of the C-shaped header members 100 a and 100 b and/orlongitudinal separation between the parallel horizontal header members100 a and 100 b until the inserted end of rectilinear insulating element182 abuts the web 204 of jamb member 200 a.

Next, the second end sections 160 a and 160 b of the header members 100a and 100 b are inserted into the apertures 240 and 242 of the secondjamb member 200 b until the second end sections 160 a and 160 b abut thelips 218 and 220 of the second jamb member 200 b. Alternatively, inembodiments where jamb member 200 a is constructed with the C-shapedprofile consistent with that of jamb member 500, the first end sections140 a and 140 b are inserted until they abut the lips 527 and 529. Then,the second vertical jamb member 200 b is affixed to the top and bottomrunner 420 and 400 using any of the methods suitable for affixing thefirst jamb member 200 a therebetween. The portions of the web 104 of thefirst end sections 140 a and 140 b and second end sections 160 a and 160b of the header members 100 a and 100 b adjacent to the flanges 210 and212 of the jamb members 200 a and 200 b may be affixed thereto withfasteners 280 that extend inwardly through the flanges 210 and 212 ofthe jamb members 200 a and 200 b into the portion of the web 104 of theheader members 100 a and 100 b adjacent thereto.

Optional U-shaped top track 700 may be installed along to the topsurfaces of the header members 100 a and 100 b by inserting fasteners708 such as screws into the inside surface of the horizontal web 702 ofthe top track 700 through the flanges 112 of the header member 100 a and100 b. A portion of the load applied to the top runner 420 may betransferred to the header members 100 a and 100 b by installing kickerstuds 910 between the top runner 420 and top track 700. As describedabove, the kicker studs 910 may be affixed to the top track 700 betweenthe sidewalls 704 and 706 by any method known in the art for effectingsuch an attachment. Optional bottom track 720 may be installed along thebottom surfaces of the header members 100 a and 100 b by insertingfasteners 730 such as screws into the sidewalls 724 and 726 of thebottom track 720 and into the webs 104 of the header members 100 a and100 b. The attachment of optional bottom track 720 to header members 100a and 100 b may be adjusted to achieve a square and plumb opening 300.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, a method of constructing an alternateembodiment of load-bearing framing assembly 10 of the present inventionwill now be described. FIG. 8 depicts load-bearing framing assembly 10′constructed in accordance with the present invention installed within asecond exemplary wall framing assembly 900′. Second exemplary wallframing assembly 900′ includes top runner 420, bottom runner 400, andstuds 902 extending vertically between the top runner 420 and bottomrunner 400. In this embodiment, first vertical jamb member 600 a,constructed in accordance with jamb member 600 depicted in FIG. 5, isaffixed to the bottom runner 400 in the same manner that first verticaljamb member 200 a of the previous embodiment was similarly affixed.

The open edges of the apertures 640 and 642 are disposed within theU-shaped top runner 420 and are immediately adjacent to the insidesurface 424 of the web 422 of the top runner 420. The first end sections140 a and 140 b of the header members 100 a and 100 b are inserted intothe apertures 640 and 642 of the first jamb member 600 a until the firstend sections 140 a and 140 b abut the lips 618 and 620 of the first jambmember 600 a. The top surface of the header members 100 a and 100 bformed by the outer surfaces of flanges 112 is positioned against theinside surface 424 of the web 422 of the top runner 420. In this manner,a portion of the downwardly directed load applied to the top runner 420may be transferred to the header members 100 a and 100 b. As describedabove, optional insulation 180 may be inserted into the cavities of theC-shaped header members 100 a and 100 b and into the longitudinalseparation between the parallel horizontal header members 100 a and 100b.

Next, the second end sections 160 a and 160 b of the header members 100a and 100 b are inserted into the apertures 640 and 642 of the secondjamb member 600 b until the second end sections 160 a and 160 b abut thelips 618 and 620 of the second jamb member 600 b. The portions of theweb 104 of the first end sections 140 a and 140 b and second endsections 160 a and 160 b of the header members 100 a and 100 b adjacentto the flanges 610 and 612 of the jamb members 200 a and 200 b may beaffixed thereto with fasteners 280 that extend inwardly through theflanges 610 and 612 of the jamb members 600 a and 600 b into the portionof the web 104 of the header members 100 a and 100 b adjacent thereto.Similarly, fasteners 280 may be used to attach the jamb members 600 aand 600 b to the top runner 420. In this configuration, fasteners 280extend inwardly through three layers metal including one of thesidewalls 426 or 428 of the top runner 420, one of the flanges 610 or612 of jamb member 600 a or 600 b, and portion of the web 104 of headermember 100 a or 100 b. The web 104 of the header members 100 a and 100 bmay be fastened to the sidewall 426 or 428 of the top runner 420 withfasteners 430. An optional bottom track 720 of the same type describedwith reference to FIG. 6 may be positioned along the bottom surfacesformed by the outside surfaces of flanges 110 and attached to the headermembers 100 a and 100 b.

While the present invention has been described in the context of theembodiments illustrated and described herein, the invention may beembodied in other specific ways or in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescriptions, and all changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A load-bearing framing assembly, comprising: a pair of horizontallypositioned header members for receiving a downwardly directed load, eachheader member being spaced apart and parallel to the other, each headermember having first and second end sections; a pair of parallel andvertically positioned jamb members, each jamb member being spaced apartand confronting the other so as to define an opening, each jamb memberbeing C-shaped or U-shaped and having an inwardly facing planar webflanked along its opposing vertical edges by confronting and outwardlydirected flanges, with each flange being perpendicular to the web andhaving outer lips parallel to the web and confronting each other, eachweb having first and second apertures positioned a selected distanceaway from the bottom of the opening and spaced apart from each other,thereby defining a spacer section of the web, each of the first andsecond apertures being sized and configured to receive in an operativearrangement the respective first and second end sections of the pair ofheader members; and wherein the load-bearing framing assembly ischaracterized in that the respective first and second end sections ofthe pair of header members are received into the first and secondapertures of each web of the pair of jamb members such that the outerlips of each flange abut or nearly abut the respective first and secondend sections of the pair of header members.
 2. The load-bearing framingassembly according to claim 1 wherein the header members have C-shapedcross-sections.
 3. The load-bearing framing assembly according to claim2 wherein the C-shaped or U-shaped cross-sections of the jamb membersare larger than the C-shaped cross-sections of the header members. 4.The load-bearing framing assembly according to claim 3 wherein the jambmembers and header member are made of sheet-metal.
 5. The load-bearingframing assembly according to claim 4 wherein the first and secondapertures are rectangular shaped and the same size.
 6. The load-bearingassembly according to claim 5 wherein the opening defines a window or adoorway.
 7. The load-bearing framing assembly according to claim 5,further comprising top and bottom tracks, the top and bottom tracksbeing spaced apart and confronting each other with the jamb membersbeing disposed therebetween so as to define a wall having the opening.8. The load-bearing assembly according to claim 7 wherein the openingdefines a window or a doorway.
 9. A method for making a load-bearingwall assembly, comprising: providing and positioning onto a floor and aceiling respective bottom and top tracks such that the top and bottomtracks are spaced apart and confronting each other; providing andvertically positioning within the top and bottom tracks a pair of jambmembers such that each jamb member is spaced apart and confronting theother so as to define an opening, each jamb member being C-shaped orU-shaped and having an inwardly facing planar web flanked along itsopposing vertical edges by confronting and outwardly directed flanges,with each flange being perpendicular to the web and having outer lipsparallel to the web and confronting each other, each web having firstand second apertures positioned a selected distance away from the bottomof the opening and spaced apart from each other, thereby defining aspacer section of the web, each of the first and second apertures beingsized and configured to receive in an operative arrangement respectivefirst and second end sections of a pair of header members; and providingand horizontally positioning the first and second end sections of thepair of header members within the first and second apertures such thateach header member is spaced apart and parallel to the other and suchthat the outer lips of each flange abut or nearly abut the respectivefirst and second end sections of the pair of header members.